[Drama 2008] The Great King Sejong 대왕세종 大王世宗

[baduy]

Well, I had no intention to offend anyone, but it looks like I will do if I stay around this thread, so in future I'll stick to commenting on dramas that don't involve Korean national pride and keep my thoughts on this one to myself (or to other non-Koreans)

Before I go, though, a couple of clarifications.

My objection to the phrase in the top post is that it reinforces the confusion (rather widespread among some non-Korean posters on Soompi) between the language and the writing system. This does not help understanding of what is most distinctive about both Korean and Hangeul. So I still think it's a pity that it is in such a prominent position on a site visited by many people keen to know more about Korea and its language.

While I was pointing out that main problem, I took the opportunity to remark that the invention of Hangeul, though beyond doubt instigated by Sejong, and developed with his close support and active participation, was not his sole handiwork, and given its complexity and the speed with which it was devised, never could have been. I know of no scholarly study that claims it was. That doesn't alter the fact that it is unthinkable that the Hangeul could have been devised and promulgated without his initiative, vision, and determination, so giving him the major share of the credit is justifiable. But it doesn't mean he did it all himself. The notion that he did (and that somehow it's important to believe he did) is part of that misunderstanding of cult of the "great ruler" which this drama looks set to revise in a potentially fruitful way by portraying Sejong as someone who realized his vision as much through perceiving fostering and energising the talents of others as through the force of his individual will.

Which led me to make one further point widely overlooked in Korean popular history (though not of course in Korean scholarship): that the promulgation of Hangeul had virtually none of the consequences that Sejong hoped for, either for the language itself or the welfare of the Korean people, until many hundreds of years after his death. Both the Korean language and the system of symbols that allowed it to be easily and accurately written and read made no inroads into government, administration or official culture until the late 19th century. Which is another aspect of the nature and limitations of inspirational leadership that Sejong and his age brings to light (and it applies, in more subtle ways, to many of his other reforms).

I hope everyone continues to enjoy this drama and that it carries on at the same level of production quality it's sustained so far. One final hint. Anyone who wants to know more about the scientific/technological aspects that this drama is plainly going to highlight (which actually include the Hangeul, since it is the first, and indeed the only, scientifically-grounded writing system ever to be adopted for a natural language) might like to dip into Needham, Lu, Combridge and Major, The Hall of Heavenly Records: Korean Astronomical Instruments and Clocks, 1380-1780 2nd ed Cambridge 2004. It's not the sort of thing anyone would want to read all the way through, or to buy for their bookshelf since even the paperback weighs in at close on $60, but it can be found in larger University or City libraries, and among many other things, it explains in great detail what that impressive contraption right at the start of the opening sequence is all about.

[Guest huangsy]

In a way, I am glad that there is sufficient interest for people to step out and point out the distinction bet Hangeul and the Korean language. And this came about bec of this drama. As I am a non-Korean learning the Korean language, I made the connection to King Sejong in a short one-liner when I started this thread. Hangeul is the writing system of the Korean language and is as central to the Korean language as A, B, C alphabets are to the English language, so I hope my one-liner was not out of order.

[Guest dramaok]

i don't see ep. 3 uploaded yet.

but 4 is already at pullbbang

ep.4 / part 1/3

http://video.pullbbang.com/view.pull?b_num=680616

ep.4/ part 2/3

http://video.pullbbang.com/view.pull?b_num=680695

ep.4/ part 3/3

http://www2.pullbbang.com/video.pull?vcode=680703

[bodashiri]

But it doesn't mean he did it all himself. The notion that he did (and that somehow it's important to believe he did) is part of that misunderstanding of cult of the "great ruler" which this drama looks set to revise in a potentially fruitful way by portraying Sejong as someone who realized his vision as much through perceiving fostering and energising the talents of others as through the force of his individual will.

No, you are seriously mistaken again.

Your comment is representing the general Korean notion that King Se-jong's scholars invented Hangul

but recent study shows us that it is the king who invented the writing system. The scholars just helped publish a book of Hangul usage.

First, "훈민정음 해례본" (the first book to explain Hangul usage) noted that the King invented the Hangul 'himself'. It was a secret project without scholars' help.

Second, King Se-jong is not only a ruler but also a great scholar. Don't say that a ruler can't be a scholar. Sejong was the best expert in linguistics.

Finally, creating Hangul was not a credit at all. King Sejong was blamed for it at that time.

Why don't you read the history special script I posted? Then you can understand that you are wrong.

Are you ignorant of Hangul or Korean language? That's why you don't read this script?

KBS history special "Hangul was not invented by Jiphyeonjeon scholars / 한글은 집현전에서 만들지 않았다" (1999)

http://eroom.korea.com/post/board.aspx?bid...1239&page=5

[Guest atel]

Well, I had no intention to offend anyone, but it looks like I will do if I stay around this thread, so in future I'll stick to commenting on dramas that don't involve Korean national pride and keep my thoughts on this one to myself (or to other non-Koreans)

well, speaking for myself, you didn't bristle my feathers (or so to speak. LOL). thanks for the input from your pov though.

Why don't you read the history special script I posted? Then you can understand that you are wrong.

Are you ignorant of Hangul or Korean language? That's why you don't read this script?

http://eroom.korea.com/post/board.aspx?bid...1239&page=5

take it easy, mon. not everyone knows korean on soompi. maybe you want to translate that - will reach out to a wider english speaking audience then.

thanks you guys for the posts. ^^V

[Guest zachposh]

is this show by any means uploaded on any website? with or without subtitles would be alright..

erm.. just to ask.. erm.. will there by any chinese/english subtitles available for this drama?

thanks..

[Guest Happy_Day]

Aside from how great a king Sejong was, and how he was a strong leader and created Hangeul.. I'm more into the romance, so I was reading about the women of this drama ~ and looks like great romance in there too. So excited!

Just to sum up basically~

Sejong's first wife ShimShi(the beautful actress LeeYoonJi)

-is a gentle, understanding woman with a kind heart. She is liberal and a woman of great virtue.

I had a hard time understanding her description: basically, she seems to have a sad family history of misfortune.

I think she goes through a lot pain because of a controversy/circumstance surrounding her father, and her position as queen is threatened? At one point, she wants to give up her queenship, but Sejong won't grant her royal permission? Anyone wanna clear that up for me?

Sejong's second wife KimShi (singer LeeJungHyun). By the way, isn't that a weird choice? I think maybe she wasn't the first choice because if you look on the first page, there's a picture of a different woman for this role.

-described as having a perfect countenance, posessing an inner strength, iron will, and a tough, determined spirit. At the same time, she is unusually bright and intelligent. There seems to be no fault to her.

Anyway, in the offical website, she is described as having been the most famous "Cinderella" in Korea's Joseun history. Does anyone know if this is true, or something made up to make the drama more intriguing? She comes from a poor family and in order to support them and earn enough money for her mother's medicine, she sells herself as a slave. Then, she enters the palace court to be a sort of maid/servant/"goongnyuh" or companion for Sejong's first wife ShimShi. She helps the first queen through her pain and hardships caused by her father's scandal, then she catches the eye of Sejong. AND THEY FALL DEEPLY IN LOVE, a sense of betrayal there? =/

I think I will be feelings sorry for ShimShi in this drama. Isn't she supposed to be the main female character but she doesn't get much love from the king?

I think KimShi will be portrayed as softspoken and frustratingly kindhearted who pines away for Sejong's love; while KimShi will be portrayed as the beautiful, faultless, perfect woman who steals away Sejong's heart.

Anyway, I haven't started watching this, but it looks like it's going to be a top-notch "sageuk" drama. I've been disappointed with The King and I and YiSan, and I've been looking for a well-made one. So excited!!

KimSangKyung is reputedly an AWESOME actor, and ParkSangMin is so charismatic in every role he plays. WOOHOO!!

EDIT:

From the interviews I've been watching, it seems that both queens will be kind and good women. But the second queen will get most, if not all, of King Sejong's love. Singer/actress LeeJungHyun says that she is the first love of Sejong. She is a mild, calm character, whereas the first queen is a brighter character (which she says you can see from the colors of their costumes: first queen=bright pinks and yellows and blues, second queen=more subdued sky blue and silver).

[Guest dramaok]

ep. 3 stream:

http://andu.hanafos.com/home/play/playgw.asp?conkey=152217

[chdragonfly]

This drama has started right? Somehow I can't find any chinese sub groups subbing this drama or find it on youtube or tudou.com My Korean is not good enough to watch this drama without subs T_T...

Anyone know a subgroup subbing this or why they are not subbing this?

thanks

[Guest inez]

KBS World will start it's 1st episode tonite at 8.30 right?..cant wait!!

[Guest lolo4lolo]

i watched the first episode, it was amazing can't wait to watch the next episode

i really really loved it

[Guest zachposh]

yea!! the show's dame nice and intriguing!! i wanna watch some more!! sigh.. but it's a really sad thing there's no chinese subs or whatsoever...

[Guest inez]

Man! It's a pretty interesting drama!..i'm hooked already!

Wait..who's that guy that plays the First Prince role?..he's a cutie!..

[Guest kdramafanusa]

TNS Media Research - [01/14/2008 ~ 01/20/2008]

http://www.tnsmk.co.kr/rating/main.asp?menu=Gi_Weekly

RANK / TITLE / NETWORK / NATIONWIDE / SEOUL

1. I Hate You But It's Fine <미우나고우나> (KBS1) - 39.6%, 38.0%

<Monday-Friday 8:25pm>

http://contents.kbs.co.kr/program/program_...p;isBroadcast=Y

http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/migo/

2. Golden Era Of Daughter In Law <며느리전성시대> (KBS2) - 33.8%, 33.4%

<Saturday/Sunday 7:55pm>

http://contents.kbs.co.kr/program/program_...p;isBroadcast=Y

http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/age/index.html

3. Infinite Challenge 무한도전 (MBC) - 30.4%, 31.8%

<Saturday>

http://www.imbc.com/broad/tv/ent/challenge/

4. Yi San <이산> (MBC) - 28.0%, 30.3%

<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>

http://content.mbc.co.kr/e_mbc/drama.asp?idx=368

http://www.imbc.com/broad/tv/drama/isan/

5. Golden Bride <황금신부> (SBS) - 26.9%, 28.0%

<Saturday/Sunday 8:45pm>

http://global.sbs.co.kr/English/AboutSBSPr..._id=V0000329896

http://tv.sbs.co.kr/goldbride/

6. New Heart <뉴하트> (MBC) - 24.8%, 25.6%

<Wednesday/Thursday 9:55pm>

http://content.mbc.co.kr/e_mbc/drama.asp?idx=386

http://www.imbc.com/broad/tv/drama/newheart/

8. Ah Hyeon Dong's Madam <아현동마님> (MBC) - 22.5%, 23.5%

<Monday-Friday 7:45pm>

http://content.mbc.co.kr/e_mbc/drama.asp?idx=360

http://www.imbc.com/broad/tv/drama/madam/

10. First Wives Club <조강지처클럽> (SBS) - 20.8%, 22.3% (#9)

<Saturday/Sunday 9:45pm>

http://tv.sbs.co.kr/club/

11. King Sejong <대왕세종> (KBS1) - 20.4%, 19.8% (#12)

<Saturday/Sunday 9:30pm>

http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/tv/program/...htm?pg_code=155

http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/3jong/index.html

15. Even So Love <그래도좋아> (MBC) - 16.6%, 16.6% (#18)

<Monday-Friday 7:50am>

http://content.mbc.co.kr/e_mbc/drama.asp?idx=382

http://www.imbc.com/broad/tv/drama/evensolove/index.html

20. King And I <왕과나> (SBS) - 15.3%, Below_Top_20

<Monday/Tuesday 9:55pm>

http://global.sbs.co.kr/English/AboutSBSPr..._id=V0000330028

http://tv.sbs.co.kr/eunuch/

That Woman <그여자가무서워> (SBS) - Below_Top_20, 15.6% (#20)

http://tv.sbs.co.kr/thewoman/

[exupery]

just first two episodes & i'm already swept into the court conspiracies already!! ... i kept reminding myself to keep an eye on when DJY ends because i wanted to watch this drama but almost forgot. good thing i didn't miss it except a little bit of the beginning of episode 1~ it was kind of overwhelming at first ... sorting out who's who when you're trying to read the english subs and identifying all those men in beards ...

so is kim gap su's character (hwang hee) gonna be one of the good guy? it certainly seems that way to me and i don't see him as having any political affiliations as yet? what is his role in the court hierarchy exactly?

is young prince's choon-nyeong's mentor ie. lee soo going to play a major part in guiding the young prince into becoming the great leader he's destined to be in or he's gonna be the naysayer who's going to try & pull him back because he truly believe the prince does not have what it takes as he shared to hwang hee & some of the others during his interrogation? will the royal descendant of the goryeons continue to be behind the young prince succession to the throne?

just want to clarify this ... king tae-jong only has 3 sons? and two of them ie. the eldest & youngest (yang-nyeong & choon-nyeong) is by the queen and the one in between is by his favorite consort (or so she claims when she was trying to rope in ministers to support her son)?

can't wait for kim sang-kyung to appear soon!! but sounds like he's going to be a real stud with so many women in his lives~ o.O i miss my one woman suh byeon in lawyers~

[Guest dramaok]

the oldest prince, 양녕대군 [Grand Prince Yang-Nyeong]:

to teen: actor Lee Joon [이준]

as adult: actor Park Sang-Min [박상민]

[shirley]

the young prince choon-nyeong is really a character . 13 year old and he shines with such leadership asipiration ! .boy . i hope the drama keep up with the quality it had started. the starting two esp was intriguing ..

that royal prince yang-nyeong is pretty good too ..i never see him in any drama before i think

can't wait for kim sang-kyung to appear soon!! but sounds like he's going to be a real stud with so many women in his lives~ o.O i miss my one woman suh byeon in lawyers

kek me too ...i want to see KSK as king

[exupery]

hehe ... hi dramaok & shirley~

isn't lee joon in the drama sweet 18 as the pesky guy who's in love with han ji hye? i think he was also the guy who moon geun young likes in my little bride and wasn't he also in the weird singing movie with kim ok bin & yoon gun?

[Guest dramaok]

so is kim gap su's character (hwang hee) gonna be one of the good guy? it certainly seems that way to me and i don't see him as having any political affiliations as yet? what is his role in the court hierarchy exactly?

Hwang Hui is an incorruptible chief royal counselor during Sejong. he is indeed neutral before Sejong's reign.

just want to clarify this ... king tae-jong only has 3 sons? and two of them ie. the eldest & youngest (yang-nyeong & choon-nyeong) is by the queen and the one in between is by his favorite consort (or so she claims when she was trying to rope in ministers to support her son)?

Queen Won-Kyeong's sons: 1. Grand Prince Yang-Nyeong (oldest), Grand Prince Hyo-Ryeong (2nd), Grand Prince Choong-Nyeong (3rd, Sejong), and Grand Prince Seong-Nyeong (4th):

------

Lady Hyo-Bin's only son: Prince Kyeong-Nyeong, actor Yoon Yeong-Joon [윤영준].

he is born a year after Yang-Nyeong, 1 year before Hyo-Ryeong, and 2 years before Choong-Nyeong.

-------

actor Lee Joon:

born: 1984

tv: Hateful but Love [미워도 좋아] (2007), Freeze [프리즈] (2006), Women over Flower [꽃보다 여자] (2005), Immortal Yi Soon-Shin [불멸의 이순신](2005), Nang Rang 18 [낭랑 18세](2004), Magic [매직](2004), Present [선물](2002), Queen Myeong-Seong [명성황후](2001)

he's in lots of movies. my scandal, Muoi, Maeng Bu, Harmonium in my memory.

[shirley]

the oldest prince, 양녕대군 [Grand Prince Yang-Nyeong]:

to teen: actor Lee Joon [이준]

ke dramaok is always so good..how does she knows i want to know the royal prince's actor name ..^^

hehe ... hi dramaok & shirley~

isn't lee joon in the drama sweet 18 as the pesky guy who's in love with han ji hye? i think he was also the guy who moon geun young likes in my little bride and wasn't he also in the weird singing movie with kim ok bin & yoon gun?

was he ? that baseball guy in little bride ..? ...i checked up his data it doesnt seem to have that in his list .~ anyway he leave an impression on me ...a royal prince who does seem to have a mind of his own ...but he appeared to be quite adaptable to political games too ....now i am interested to see how this prince turned out to be in adult hood ....did he really marry the princess from china ? .....how did he give up his heir rights to King Sejong then ?..